This started as a cross stitching diary. I've always wanted to try out different embroidery techniques and have dabbled in Hardanger, goldwork, ribbon embroidery
and stumpwork. I am now enjoying learning crazy quilting and teaching myself dressmaking.

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Monday, 24 July 2017

Laundry Day T and leather handbag

Despite having a flu injection I managed to fall victim to the flu. There is a particularly nasty strain doing the rounds that wasn't covered by the vaccine. This had me down and out for 10 days. I basically used all this time searching on the internet for more sewing patterns.

Once I started feeling capable of doing something I wanted some quick fixes. So using up fabric stash and remnants I downloaded Love Notions free Laundry Day T shirt. If you join their Facebook group you get a code to download the design for free.

This pattern is so versatile. It has various sleeve lengths - sleeveless tank, short sleeves, above elbow, long. Necklines are choice of round, V or cowl and length can be regular T, tunic or even dress.

The first one used up some fabric from my stash. I thought this was a t-shirt fabric but when I washed it realised it is a very fine wool. I embroidered some strawberries to brighten up the grey a bit. The second one I decided to convert to a cold shoulder T. This fabric was a remnant left over from a previous make. I basically just chopped the top 1 1/2" off the top of the sleeve pattern and rounded it out by trimming another 1/2" at the centre sleeve. To finish I just turned the edges under and top-stitched.

These were both super quick makes, just 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

I'd bought some leather coats at the Salvation Army stores and a friend bought me another leather coat from another Salvation Army as she knew I wanted the leather to make bags. So this is my first leather bag. The design is from Kreative Kiwi. I love how this has turned out. The leather was easier to work with than I thought and is so soft. It is fully lined with pockets on the inside. The only change I made was to add a magnetic snap closure.